With a number of populist schemes announced in his Budget, including huge direct employment plans and slashing of fares across the table, Railway minister Lalu Prasad has set the election agenda for the UPA government. His moves come with a huge financial implication for the Railways, which has achieved the best ever operating ratio in the last 40 years. And there are fears of the railways growth story hitting speed-breakers. After presenting the Rail budget, Prasad spoke to Surabhi

Did you prepare Rail Budget 2008-09 keeping in mind the general elections next year?

While I have tried to keep in mind the needs of people all over the country, the Budget was not my main priority. I have provided benefits like reduction in passenger fares to all sections of society and all regions in the country.

This seems to be a pro-rich and middle class Budget and other sections of society are ignored.

There is no truth in the allegation that the railway Budget will benefit only the rich and middle classes as we have reduced fares by 5 per cent for second class, including sleeper, travel. The move benefits everybody, more so the poor people as even common men travelling in the Jan Shadharan train from Patna to Delhi would now be paying 5 per cent less and it is only the poor who travel by Shadharan Express. Of course, at the same time we have tried to benefit all segments of the population by reducing fares of even AC-I, AC-II and AC-III tiers.

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